I did say it was going to have to take a brave person but the alternative is a sport with the same old, same old dwindling attendances, less Sky money and shrinking across the board.

We need someone with a vision, ambition and a clear strategy. Something that is going to enthuse the sport and create larger popularity and attraction.

If you think 5,000 at Wakefield, 3,000 at Widnes and 2,000 at Salford, plus 1500 and less at Championship/L1 clubs is an attractive proposition then we are heading into a car crash.

Union only survives because it’s in the money areas and propped up by a successful international game. Football exists on a local level because it has the fanbase to support it.

Cricket operates on a county level and would you say that’s catastrophic? I don’t. People love the county level and it’s fundamentally about targeting the biggest possible audience from the start. It’s also about putting rugby league on the maps of people across a bigger area. Cumbrian rugby league can be much stronger but they aren’t going to merge. So the best alternative is a Cumbrian team that plays across the whole region. Ditto Wales, London, and Coventry. It also opens the door for people in cities like Sheffield and York the chance to experience elite top level rugby league.

If people can support a Roses derby in cricket why can’t they support it in rugby league at an elite level with lots of money.

You can call it pie in the eye but we need to think bigger and larger than small pit villages.

Coming from the King.
rlrl

It is possible to have a Magic Weekend event in a league with an odd number of teams if it is not an extra tagged on game for each team but one of their regular round robin fixtures (ie it takes the place of a home fixture for half of the teams competing). In an odd numbered league one team has a bye each round, each team will have 2 byes over the course of the season with one team having one of those at MW. With it not being an extra game as now the team with the bye at MW would not be disadvantaged by not being able to earn points at MW (or given an advantage if a bye was to see 2 points being awarded).

Someone found some magic mushrooms? Next season will have the same structure as this one, it's too late to start messing about with it now. All of this expansion and mergers might have some legs if RL was already a major sport in the UK, but it isn't, and condemning the bulk of existing teams to the bin and replacing with "regional" teams would kill the game overnight. You'd be relying mainly on "new" supporters, or maybe the support of the team where the games are played. If Yorkshire played at Headingley, how soon would it be before they become the Yorkshire Rhinos? Well done, you've just lost the supporters from every other current Yorkshire club. Ditto for the other side of the Pennines.

Can honestly say that I'd rather go and watch Hull City at the KCOM then watch rugby league again if this were to happen. Bonkers

People are saying its to late to alter next years game if I remember it right it was done years ago when my team finished in the lower league when they decided to alter it and not tell us till near the end of season just can’t remember what year it was

1996/1997 when we moved to summer?

Stop Press: Toronto and Toulouse gain promotion to Super League, only to have their hopes dashed as the RFL announce an 11th hour league structure of 2 * 10 team leagues. They will both start next season in the Championship alongside Salford and Widnes.

Christ what a mess. I don't mean the situation, I mean the mindset of RL fans. Over-complex highly convoluted structures do nothing for anyone.

Does no-one recall the pre-GF days, when the table-toppers were named champions? When every game meant something because EVERY point was crucial. When you HAD to win against your challengers and a point dropped against 'lower' opposition was a disaster? When a table-topping game was often in effect a 4-pointer and could decide your entire season? Massive games, massive occasion.

I accept the GF cannot be lost and it is indeed a wonderful occasion. But ffs keep it simple. My ideal scenario would be:

League champions straight into GF. A nice cash prize and increased takings from the GF. This massively incentivises teams to aim for top spot. And let's not avoid the fact play-off attendances tend to be poor, so keep them short and sweet:

Week 1 : 2 vs 3.
Ok, I accept that's a bit hollow, so let's go for:
Week 1: 3 vs 4. Week 2: 2 vs Wk1 winner.
- or at very most -
Week 1: 1 vs 4 & 3 vs 2. Week 2: winners play-off for GF.

This smaller structure incentivises teams to push for a top 3 or 4 spot. Right now half the teams in SL know they'll be in the play-offs at the end of the year. They're essentially just bickering over home games. Hardly riveting is it?

Relegation: top up, bottom down. Offers Champ clubs a real opportunity and incentive.
2nd bottom SL and 2nd finishing Champ play off for second SL spot at SL home ground.

As for an influx of expansion sides, chucking London, Toulouse, Catalans, Toronto in right now would be a disaster. That's 4 games of guaranteed zero atmosphere. Some clubs may not bring huge numbers, but nearly all of them contribute to the atmosphere. Even as a season ticket holder I was never bothered when London or Catalans came to town, because I knew it would probably be pretty dull.

Expansionists may mock, but you need fans to WANT to go to games. We all talk about the matchday occasion. Well, a huge part of that is a vibrant game atmosphere: cheers, boos, songs, banter, flags and the thrill of the 'enemy' nearby. It attracts and retains fans. Forget that at our peril. None of us can afford to risk attendances - which are dropping.

Expansion is great but we can't drive forward until we're stronger at home or we risk diluting the game entirely, and destroying irreplaceable heritage. It's a tough juggle: protect the core game while driving expansion. We need a stable structure which incentivises true competition throughout the season and affords opportunity at both ends of the table which in turn builds interest and passion for the game.

12 x super league for me

top 5 play off system after 23 rounds to allow extra mid season internationals

bottom team relegated and replaced by championship champions, 11th place SL team play off v 2nd championship team, home and away, aggregate score to make it fair!

cant see it happening as clubs will lose income with loss of fixtures so will no doubt see those added games again randomly

Have to agree with Cronus about keeping things simple and he's bang on about certain clubs being able to "coast" through the season and still be comfortable in making the top 4.
The game needs to stop talking itself down and actually get out and sell the games, just as they do in the premier league.

Although the big games and derbies always grab the headlines, they seem to enjoy minnows like Burnley taking on Man United, whereas RL only wants to talk up the games between the big 4 (and Leeds).

IF we are to push expansion with Toronto and Toulouse then lets get them into the SL and see if they can actually bring the much hyped investment and increased profile to the game, because, quite frankly, the longer that they remain outside the top flight, the more likely they are to fail and much as I personally disagree with Toronto (or any other N. American side being in SL), there is absolutely no point in having them in The Championship.

Therefore it's easy.
Increase Sl to 14 clubs, play everyone home and away, plus magic.
To keep Magic fresh, there should be a random draw, either at the start of the season, or as part of the build up to the new season and then sell the fixtures that are drawn.
This should add some excitement to the event and hopefully prevent the same clubs meeting too often.

As for promotion and relegation, I'd go for a 2 game play off between top of The Championship and bottom of SL, using aggregate scores to decide who gets in SL and if scores are tied then go to tries scored to decide it.

Top 5 play off for the GF, job done.

The only issue then would be whether to offer Toulouse and Toronto any protection from relegation for a couple of seasons, which although not ideal, this would give the expansion sides a decent chance to become established.

Quote: HXSparky "Someone found some magic mushrooms? Next season will have the same structure as this one, it's too late to start messing about with it now. All of this expansion and mergers might have some legs if RL was already a major sport in the UK, but it isn't, and condemning the bulk of existing teams to the bin and replacing with "regional" teams would kill the game overnight. You'd be relying mainly on "new" supporters, or maybe the support of the team where the games are played. If Yorkshire played at Headingley, how soon would it be before they become the Yorkshire Rhinos? Well done, you've just lost the supporters from every other current Yorkshire club. Ditto for the other side of the Pennines.'" I agree mergers are a complete no, however clubs sharing stadiums (Wakey and Cas) or a relocation (Salford) could be successful. As for the magic mushrooms, Robert Elstone suggests today that the 2019 structure will not be the same as this year. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-13082640

Quote: HXSparky "Someone found some magic mushrooms? Next season will have the same structure as this one, it's too late to start messing about with it now. All of this expansion and mergers might have some legs if RL was already a major sport in the UK, but it isn't, and condemning the bulk of existing teams to the bin and replacing with "regional" teams would kill the game overnight. You'd be relying mainly on "new" supporters, or maybe the support of the team where the games are played. If Yorkshire played at Headingley, how soon would it be before they become the Yorkshire Rhinos? Well done, you've just lost the supporters from every other current Yorkshire club. Ditto for the other side of the Pennines.'" I agree mergers are a complete no, however clubs sharing stadiums (Wakey and Cas) or a relocation (Salford) could be successful. As for the magic mushrooms, Robert Elstone suggests today that the 2019 structure will not be the same as this year. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... s-13082640

I would personally keep the middle 8s. Its the most exciting comp and best games to watch the super 8s seem pointless I guarantee the middle 8s will get most viewing figures.

Allternatively keep 12 teams in each league. The sl top 6 play offs with the league leaders playing second at home and winner straight to the final

bottom of sl relegated winner of the championship promoted

2nd to 6 play off winner to the final at neutral venue
bottom 6 sl mini comp team who finishes bottom plays the the winner of the championship playoffs in the final for a place in sl

It could work and means plenty of games